Ryan Winslow was born on January 13, 1987. Ryan grew up in Hoover, AL, attending Hoover City Schools and also took classes in criminal justice at a local community college while preparing for what he hoped would be a future career in law enforcement.
He was 14 years old in 2001 and was inspired to serve his country following the 9/11 attacks. As a teenager, he was not physically prepared for Marine training; he had to lose a lot of weight. Through fierce determination and hard work, he accomplished this goal and was fit enough to go to boot camp.
Following boot camp, he was trained as a TOW gunner, then was assigned to the Scout Platoon, 2nd Tank Battalion, Camp Lejeune, NC. As a Scout, his role was to precede the tanks in the field and ensure safe passage for those following. It was in this role, on April 15, 2006, that he and two of his fellow Marines were killed when their Humvee struck an IED just north of Fallujah. This was Ryan’s first deployment to the war zone, and he was killed only three weeks after deployment.
His awards included the Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, War on Terrorism Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, National Defense Medal, and a Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon. Ryan was posthumously promoted to Lance Corporal.
Ryan will always be remembered by his family and friends as being an intelligent, sensitive, honest young man with a strong sense of integrity, loyalty, determination, and being a hard worker. In his local community, the American Legion Post 911, located in Hoover, Alabama, was named in his honor.
Ryan will be remembered for his passion, tireless work ethic, and unwavering belief in serving his country. Though he is gone, his legacy endures through the friends and family who carry his memory forward.
*All photos and information above were lovingly provided by the Winslow Family*
